Course Levels

Our classes are designed to provide a context for foreign language learning, and thus cover content that is of interest and value to our learners. GLN’s interactive approach and thematic-based curriculum are focused on building communicative competence, or the ability to communicate effectively and in culturally appropriate ways. We focus on improving our learners’ proficiency in two of the four language skills: speaking and listening. While we cover reading and writing, those language skills take a secondary role in our approach.

Course Descriptions

All courses are theme-based and most consist of 12 two-hour classes or 24 hours per semester. Five different course levels are offered: three beginner level courses and two advanced courses, providing a strong foundation in a language and offering. This provides two tracks for our language learners.

BEGINNER LEVELS

The beginner level is intended for students who have limited or no experience with the language. Beginner students may be new to the language or may have studied the language in the past but have not used it lately. These courses are designed to provide students with the fundamentals necessary to communicate in their desired language and to express basic ideas and information about themselves. As such, they should be taken in sequence.

WHO IS THE FOREIGNER (BEGINNER I) STUDENT?

You might be confused, but definitely intrigued … You don’t have prior exposure to the language. You might feel a little wary, but as soon as you enter the GLN gateway, you will find your comfort zone and quickly learn the basics. This course focuses on Making Connections: Individuals, Relationships, and Community.

Topics:

Meeting People

Describing Yourself and Others

Expressing Emotions, Personal Needs & Preferences

Hobbies, Wants, and Desires

Everyday Activities and Daily Routines

Calendar and Scheduling

Family Members and Relationships

Student Profile:

Very little or no experience with the language

Interested in learning a new language and culture

Have a trip planned to a country where the language is spoken or have a new job or friends where the language is popping up

Willing to make mistakes in the beginning

WHO IS THE TOURIST (BEGINNER II) STUDENT?

Your first encounters have been marked by great excitement and now you want more! As a tourist, you will learn skills to help you discover and experience this new language-speaking community. This course focuses on Discovering Foreign Language-Speaking Communities: New Places, Different Lifestyles, New Experiences.

Speakers at this level are able to handle a number of uncomplicated communicative tasks in straightforward social situations. They can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance and need (e.g., basic personal and family information, preferences, shopping, local geography, and ordering food). Conversation is restricted to the predictable topics necessary for survival in the target language and culture.

Topics:

Getting There

Lodging

Getting Around Town (Directions Around Town and Sightseeing)

Preparing for the Weather

Shopping

Eating out

Student Profile:

Has completed GLN Foreigner in the past year or one semester of language study in college or with another organization for a total of 24 – 38 hours of study

Has a trip planned to a country where the language is spoken or has a new job or friends where the language is popping up

Knows the basics like greetings, likes and dislikes, and ordering food

Wants to delve deeper into the language

WHO IS THE EXPLORER (BEGINNER III) STUDENT?

You again? We have seen you before and are glad you’ve returned. You feel more comfortable with the language and want to get more involved. You know the basics about the culture but you wish to continue your exploration. So grab your passport and let GLN teleport you into the target language and culture of your choice. This course focuses on Participating in Foreign Language-Speaking Communities: Work, Health, and Play.

Speakers at this level can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. These speakers are able to successfully produce simple, connected text on topics which are familiar, or of personal interest; and describe experiences and events, hopes, and ambitions briefly.

Topics:

Education and Studying Abroad

Work and Working Abroad

Body, Health, and Medicine

Health and Medicine (Going to the Doctor and the Pharmacy)

Holidays and Celebrations

National Pastimes (Sports)

National Pastimes (Music, Movies and more)

Friendship, Dating, and Marriage

Social Networking

Student Profile:

Has completed GLN Foreigner and Tourist in the past year or no more than two semesters of college study or with another organization for a total of 48-80 hours of study

Business or personal opportunities are providing the drive to continue learning

Knowledgeable about the language and culture, and invested in learning more

HIGHER LEVELS

These levels are intended for students who have significant experience with the language. Advanced students may have majored in the language in college or lived abroad for at least a few months, using the target language daily. These courses are not sequential – Frequent Flyer is not a prerequisite for Nearly Native – rather each class targets a different level of speakers. The advanced courses will help students maintain their level, refine their skills, and build relationships and interact with other individuals with a significant background in the language.

WHO IS THE FREQUENT FLYER (INTERMEDIATE) STUDENT?

You are an advanced, but perhaps rusty or hesitant, speaker of the language. You minored in the language in college and have participated in travel, online or professional opportunities to improve your skills. You have traveled frequently to places where your target language is spoken and are now a regular. You feel confident with the language, but that is not enough. You want to learn more, to gain access to the target language and culture, and to build upon your current knowledge and skills. This course focuses on Understanding Other People Through Language and Culture: Values, Beliefs, and Attitudes.

Speakers at this level can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics. They are able to interact with sufficient fluency and spontaneity that makes interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either side.

Our Frequent Flyer course is designed to be flexible and may be taken multiple times due to the breadth and depth of the topics. Learners are expected to be active participants in the learning process, working in and out of the classroom to suggest, select, and/or contribute topics and resources.

Topics:

Social Class, Race, and Minorities

Gender

Religion

History

Politics and Government

Student Profile:

Deeply knowledgeable about the language and culture through advanced study or significant in-country experience

Minored in college in the language or studied an equivalent amount independently

Interested in maintaining your language skills and want to meet others who share your passion for the language and culture

WHO IS THE NEARLY NATIVE (ADVANCED) STUDENT?

You have gone native. You encounter random people in the street and you talk about the language and culture as if they were your own. You continue to perfect your skills and take pride in being mistaken for a native. You have traveled often to countries that speak the target language and have also studied/lived there. You miss it, so you come to us to transport yourself back and to maintain and practice your skills. This course focuses on Transcending Barriers: From Communication to Acculturation.

Our Nearly Native course is designed to be flexible and may be taken multiple times due to the breadth and depth of the topics. Learners are expected to be active participants in the learning process, working in and out of the classroom to suggest, select, and/or contribute topics and resources.

Topics:

Art

Entertainment

Humor

Environment

News and Current Events

Student Profile:

Deeply knowledgeable about the language and culture through advanced study or significant in-country experience

Interested in maintaining their language skills and want to meet others who share their passion for the language and culture

May be a heritage speaker or have a significant other with whom they communicate regularly in the target language

Majored in the language in college, kept it up and worked in the country or travel extensively and use on a regular basis